A new report on the economic impact of Warrenpoint Port has revealed that £3.4 billion worth of trade passed through the harbour in 2024, equating to 3.4 million tonnes of goods across a wide range of categories. The publication, produced by Grant Thornton and launched in Warrenpoint, highlights the significant scale of activity supported by the port and its growing importance to the wider economy.
According to the report, this level of trade translates to approximately £1.1 billion in gross value added (GVA), representing 1.9 per cent of Northern Ireland’s total economy and more than 27 per cent of the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. In employment terms, the port’s operations are estimated to support around 18,300 jobs across Northern Ireland, underlining its role as a key regional and national economic gateway.
Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) also reported a record turnover of £8.6 million in 2024, nearly three times higher than in 2000, with the port accounting for 12 per cent of all Northern Ireland port trade. The range of goods handled has diversified significantly, including recyclables and unitised freight, alongside a twice-daily roll-on/roll-off service to Heysham.
WHA chief executive David Holmes said the findings demonstrate the port’s expanding footprint, both in trade volumes and in its contribution to employment and economic growth. He described Warrenpoint as a strategically positioned gateway that enables businesses to grow and compete in global markets, adding that, as a Trust Port, profits are reinvested into infrastructure and the local community.
Chair Dr Gerard O’Hare also welcomed the report, highlighting the port’s vital role in Northern Ireland’s economy and stressing the importance of sustainable, long-term planning to support continued growth and competitiveness.
Earlier this year, WHA confirmed it had signed a 55-year operating agreement with shipping firm CLdN, a move described as a significant investment in the port’s future and a reflection of the Irish Sea corridor’s importance, with the vast majority of goods to the island arriving by sea.
